A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words BEFORE & AFTER GALLERY
What can I expect during a tummy tuck surgery?
Any tummy tuck in Gainesville begins with anesthesia. Dr. Nesmith discusses whether intravenous sedation or general anesthesia is better during your consultation. The next step is the incision, of which length and location will depend on the type of tummy tuck. Excess skin and fat is removed, and the midline muscles (six pack muscles) are tightened and brought back to where they should be. To close the incisions, Dr. Nesmith uses fine, absorbable sutures to minimize scarring and to avoid extra visits to have them removed.
Can a tummy tuck scar be hidden?
Depending on the type of tummy tuck, the scar can be limited to your bikini area or can be extended toward your hips. It depends on if there is a need to remove more tissue. The scar is usually very low on your abdomen and can be easily concealed by underwear or even your bikini. Like other surgical scars, a tummy tuck scar generally fades to a fine line over time.
Large amounts of excess skin may require a longer incision or a vertical incision. Your surgeon will review the specifics of your surgery procedure during a consultation.
Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
The best plastic surgery candidates are patients who can benefit the most from the procedure, who are already in good health, and who have realistic expectations for the results. If you have an excess of fat in the abdominal area that cannot be eliminated through a healthy diet and exercise, then a tummy tuck can help.
Aging men and women, and women who have been pregnant, often experience a loss of muscle control in the abdomen which can cause sagging, and again, abdominoplasty can correct that issue. Also, some patients who are healthy have a naturally protruding abdomen, which can also be corrected through a tummy tuck in Gainesville at Nesmith Plastic Surgery.
Women who want or expect to become pregnant should wait to have the procedure until after they are finished having children. The abdominal muscles and skin are stretched quite a bit during future pregnancies, and it can reverse any effects a tummy tuck may have had.
You are a good candidate if:
- You sit up straight and have sagging, hanging skin
- Healthy diet and exercise have not eliminated excess fat
- You have a naturally protruding abdomen
If you want to find out if a tummy tuck is the right procedure for you, schedule a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon.
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What is a mini tummy tuck?
A mini abdominoplasty addresses excess skin and fat only in the lower abdomen. If your main concern is a "pooch" in your lower tummy, a mini procedure might be a good option.
Learn more about Mini Tummy Tucks
Can you have a baby after a tummy tuck?
Although it is safe to have a baby after recovering from an abdominoplasty, our surgeons advise against it. Future pregnancies will stretch the skin and muscles and can reverse the effects of your procedure. You may require a tummy tuck revision surgery.
We recommend waiting until your family is complete before getting a tummy tuck.
How long does a tummy tuck last?
The results from your tummy tuck will be noticeable within a few weeks – immediately if you experience significant sagging before surgery. The results will be long lasting, so long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle and do not fluctuate drastically in weight.
Should I get a tummy tuck or liposuction?
Both cosmetic procedures are popular choices to improve the appearance of your abdominal area, but they are completely different. A tummy tuck addresses the contour of your belly and targets fat, skin, and muscles.
Liposuction only removes fat and relies on the skin to tighten itself. If the skin in your abdomen is lax from drastic weight loss or childbearing, a tummy tuck would be the appropriate procedure.
Learn more about our Liposuction Procedures
Do I need to lose weight before a tummy tuck?
An abdominoplasty is not a weight loss solution. In order to maintain your results for a longer length of time, you'll need to maintain your weight post-surgery. Our surgeons recommend that you be within 10-15 pounds of your goal weight when you undergo a tummy tuck. The procedure will result in a few lost pounds due to the excess skin and fat being removed.
How much does a Gainesville tummy tuck cost?
The cost of your abdominoplasty can depend on the type of procedure you choose and if you elect to get other procedures done at the same time. For example, a Mommy Makeover procedure includes both a tummy tuck and breast lift or breast augmentation at the same time.
You can view pricing for all of our surgical procedures here.
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Board-certified plastic surgeons
If you are unhappy with your breasts and considering plastic surgery, stop by our office in Gainesville, Florida.
We offer a variety of facial plastic surgery procedures so that you can be happy with the skin you’re in.
We perform body contouring procedures on men and women for a variety of aesthetic and health reasons.
If you prefer the non-surgical route, we have many options that can help you look young and feel more confident in your appearance.
Plastic surgery is not a gender-specific industry. At Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center, we often find that men have unique concerns.